th alchemy, which is confined to the
simple products of nature, and whose function cannot be performed by
nature herself, because in it there are no organic instruments with
which it can work, such as the hands are to man and which have enabled
him to make glass, &c. But necromancy, the flag and flying banner,
blown hither and thither by the winds, is the guide of the silly
multitude, which constantly bears witness with gaping wonder to the
countless effects of this art; and whole books are written which
declare that incantations and spirits are efficacious and speak without
tongues and without vocal organs, without which it is impossible to
speak, and carry the heaviest weights, raising tempests and rain and
{182} transforming men into cats, wolves and other beasts, although
they who affirm such things are the first to be transformed into
beasts. And certainly if such necromancy existed, as is believed by
lower intellects, there is nothing on the earth which would be so
effectual both as regards the service and detriment of man; because if
it is true that this art has the power to disturb the calm serenity of
the atmosphere, changing it into night and producing sparks and winds,
with fearful thunder and lightnings that fly through the darkness, and
overthrowing high buildings with violent winds and uprooting forests
and striking armies and shattering and overwhelming them, and
producing, in addition to this, devastating storms which rob the
peasants of the fruits of their toil, what kind of warfare is there so
deadly to the enemy? Who in naval warfare can be compared with him who
commands the winds and generates storms which ruin and sink any fleet
whatsoever? Certainly he who could dispose of such violent forces
would be the lord of nations, and no human skill could resist his
deadly power. The hidden treasures and gems concealed in the body of
the earth would be manifest unto him. He would let himself be borne
through the air from the east to the west, and through all the opposed
regions of the universe. But why should I proceed further? What thing
is there which could not be effected by such an art? Nothing, save
{183} the discovery of immortality. And if it is true, why has it not
remained among men who so greatly desired it, and led them to disregard
any deity? And I know that there are many who to satisfy a whim would
destroy God and the universe. And if necromancy has not remained with
man in spite of